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Index > News > February 2003 News Update
 Saturday and Sunday 1st and 2nd March sees the opportunity for everyone to get a little closer than usual to the controls of a steam locomotive, when the Trust's 0-4-0 Peckett locomotive 'Kilmersdon' and G.W.R. 2-6-2T 5542 will be in steam and available for close inspection. Visits to the footplates of both locomotives will be available and also the chance to chat with the
driver and other volunteers between demonstration shunting sessions. There will also be the chance to view recent wagon restoration work together with other museum exhibits, rolling stock and restored signal cabins. All visitors are most welcome, and admission between 11am and 4.30pm will be by small donation towards Washford projects. You may even be inspired to return to assist with some of the work going on.
We all look forward to meeting you. For more information click here! John Wood, Loco 5542 Chairman 7 Plank Mineral Wagon Update Update since May 2002 By Gerry Leyman 
We have reached a couple of milestones. Most of the brake gear has been fitted now but not the brake rods, as they would seriously restrict access under the wagon. The bottom dropdown doors have been assembled and fitted along with the Monkey tails that operate them. The draw bar has been fitted and tensioned with the new section in place. A defect was found in the bridle in the centre of the draw bar, which had a crack at one end. We thought it was made of wrought iron and so could not be welded. A search was started for a new one, only to find there were numerous different designs which all had different springs etc to ours. Eventually Edward attacked it with the angle grinder and found it was made of cast steel so a trip to an expert welder cured the problem and we were able to reassemble it. The other main progress has been the fitting of the side rails to the frames so we can then start fitting the huge iron knees that Edward and Pete have spent many hours preparing.
February 2003 update Since our last update for the Swift and Delightful, in September 2002, work has continued. Although we do not appear to have moved far forwards on paper we have made great progress. Look at the two photographs taken today 5th February 2003. All six knees have now been fitted (the east end ones still need their black topcoat). Several of them needed straightening and thanks must go to the 5542 group who loaned us their oxy-propane and large pepper pot nozzle so we could heat these to a high enough heat to bend easily. We did manage to straighten two one day! The track around the sight proved very useful as long flat anvils and also to insert one end under whilst using the other as a lever, especially when a heavy wagon was stabled on top. Nigel Smart also helped with the straightening of the iron bar that the end door hinges on, we have now been able to fit this to the east end knees. 
Pete and Gerry spent a day cutting and fitting most of the floorboards and then Gerry and Edward took two days to machine and fit the three remaining boards that cover the feet of the knees. The only section of floor left to fit is the small boards that span the gap between the drop down doors and the side rail, we have recently acquired the timber for this and it is currently drying a little before we work it to the correct size and fit. Numerous brackets have also been made using the steel bender we acquired and planted outside the shed extension last year. It is proving very useful.
The large steel corner plates for the west end have been cut and bent and they should shortly have their holes punched. We will then borrow a trailer to collect and transport them to Washford ready for painting and fitting. All the timber for the side and end planking has arrived on site. It was ordered slightly oversize to allow for shrinkage. Pete has found a little man at Williton who is happy to plane it to size for a small re-numeration. This will involve borrowing a large 3 ton 16ft flat trailer with the Discovery to tow it so we can get it all down to Williton and back, hopefully in one day. If you saw the size of the stack you would think it unlikely that we could get it done in one day: we shall see! Owing to recent loco movements at Washford, with the return of 5542 after Christmas, the wagon has been used for shunting locos. Kilmersdon is now in the shed extension behind our wagon. It would have been good to see it between 5542 and the Peckett but unfortunately we were unable to be there that day. Nigel has also used it with the Bug when shunting the yard and apparently has photos to prove it. It is very pleasing to note that despite this the frames have not moved at all and are still dead flat and square. The problem with the worn axle boxes has been solved by fabricating and fitting shoes to the W irons on the east end. This has tightened them up and they are well within tolerances. Work will now slow for a few months as Edward is off around the world again to see relations and friends for a few months. Hopefully he will see great progress when he returns. Click for previous mineral wagon updates. The Wagon Team - Peter Davis, Edward Lobjoit, Gerry Leyman.
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